Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 161: Blackwater Hollow, Evolving Sylvaris

Blackwater Hollow loomed ahead, a tangled mess of twisted trees and dense undergrowth, where the air was thick with the scent of damp earth and something sharper—venom.

Arthur’s fingers curled instinctively around Chaos’s hilt as he scanned the shifting foliage. The Hollow felt alive, the rustling of leaves and the faint slithering sounds whispering through the underbrush.

And then—movement.

[Poisonous Painted Serpent]

Level: 14

Description: A venomous serpent with scales shimmering in vibrant patterns, designed to lure prey into a false sense of security before delivering a lethal bite. Unlike ordinary snakes, these creatures possess a paralyzing toxin that seeps through wounds, making even the smallest cut dangerous. Their uncanny ability to blend into their surroundings makes them nearly invisible when still.

Arthur’s eyes narrowed.

"Level 14? And this was a D-rank mission?"

In the village, he had been among the strongest. Here, he was nothing but a fledgling among monsters.

He needed to get stronger. Fast.

Without hesitation, Arthur reached into his inventory and activated his summoning portal. A crackling vortex of dark energy twisted open before him, the air humming with power as a massive figure emerged.

Sylvaris.

The towering serpent slithered forth, his silver scales shining. His piercing eyes locked onto the painted serpent ahead, his forked tongue flickering as he tasted the air.

Arthur’s lips curled into a smirk. This was no ordinary snake.

"Sylvaris," he commanded, voice low, "he’s all yours."

The enemy serpent hissed, its body coiling in preparation to strike. But Sylvaris, despite being only level 12, was no mere beast. He was an Epic-grade boss.

The moment Arthur gave the command, Sylvaris launched forward with terrifying speed. The Painted Serpent barely had time to react before Sylvaris’s jaws snapped open—fangs glinting with sickly green venom.

[Poison Bite] (Very Rare) Activated.

Sylvaris struck like lightning. His fangs sank deep into the enemy serpent’s flesh, venom flooding into its bloodstream. The Painted Serpent thrashed violently, its colorful body writhing in agony as the toxin took hold.

It tried to retaliate, its tail whipping toward Sylvaris in a desperate counterattack—but the venom worked fast. The strength drained from its movements, its hisses turning weaker, body twitching erratically before finally going still.

A low chime echoed in Arthur’s ears.

[You have slain Level 14 Poisonous Painted Serpent.]

[Mana Ring (Very Rare) has been dropped.]

Arthur’s gaze flickered toward the ground. A silver ring lay among the serpent’s lifeless coils, encased in a faint, dark-blue glow.

A smirk tugged at his lips, he crouched down, picking it up. Compared to his current Rare-grade mana ring, this was a clear upgrade. Without hesitation, Arthur equipped his new ring and slid it onto his finger.

A sudden surge of energy pulsed through him.

His mana pool expanded, and he could feel the subtle yet noticeable increase in his regeneration. At least a 10% boost.

Arthur flexed his fingers, pleased.

Then, without missing a beat, he knelt beside the fallen serpent, drawing his dagger and expertly extracting its fangs. The quest required fifty, and this was just the beginning.

With ease, he stowed the extracted fangs in his inventory before turning to Sylvaris.

"Devour it."

Sylvaris wasted no time. His massive jaws unhinged, and in a single gulp, the corpse of the Painted Serpent disappeared.

A notification popped up.

<Abyssal Devourer>

Focus: Offensive combat specialization. Gains increased size and venom potency, capable of devouring entire foes.

<Requirements:>

<Kill 100 Serpents (2/100)>

<Devour 100 Serpents (1/100)>

<A Spirit Core (1/1)>

Arthur’s eyes gleamed as he read the progress.

Arthur’s grip tightened around Chaos’s hilt. The pond shimmered under the moonlight, its surface smooth—undisturbed. But lurking at the edges, tangled in the roots of gnarled trees, were ten Poisonous Painted Serpents.

Their vibrant scales reflected the pale glow of the water, shifting like liquid metal with every subtle movement. Tongues flicked, tasting the air, sensing something was wrong.

Arthur’s eyes gleamed.

A perfect opportunity.

He whispered, "Alright, Sylvaris, let’s continue."

The massive serpent beside him coiled slightly, muscles tensing. Sylvaris’s forked tongue flickered out, tasting the presence of his prey. He hissed softly, a sound filled with anticipation.

Arthur and Sylvaris moved as one, creeping closer, step by careful step. But serpents weren’t blind. One of them froze, its slit-like eyes locking onto Arthur.

Arthur reacted instantly.

[Shadow Bind] Activated!

Dark tendrils shot from the ground, twisting unnaturally as they latched onto the Painted Serpents. Their writhing bodies were yanked down, forced against the damp earth.

Frozen.

Arthur didn’t hesitate.

Chaos unsheathed in a blur.

Heat surged up his arm as he activated his new skill—

[Blazing Arc] (Rare) Activated!

A fiery aura exploded around Chaos’s blade, engulfing the steel in roaring flames. The glow illuminated Arthur’s sharp features, his narrowed eyes focused only on his prey.

With a single, powerful swing—

The flaming arc tore through the air, scorching the night itself as it streaked toward the bound serpents.

The attack struck.

Inferno erupted.

Flames ignited along the ground, consuming the pond’s edge. The trapped serpents screeched, their scales burning under the devastating impact.

Arthur gritted his teeth. His mana drained rapidly, but the boost from his items kept it flowing, refilling it as it depleted.

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The serpents struggled, but they were already half-dead.

Arthur’s head snapped toward Sylvaris. "Now! Land Smash!"

Sylvaris’s tail whipped through the air, cutting through the thick humidity of the jungle before crashing down with a thunderous impact.

[Land Smash] (Very Rare) Activated!

The force was devastating. The jungle quaked dirt and shattered stone exploding outward from the impact site. Seven serpents caught in the radius convulsed violently, their bodies crushed beneath the sheer power of the blow.

A deep rumble echoed through the ground, sending cracks slithering across the damp earth. The shockwave rippled outward, shaking the nearby trees.

Then—silence.

A chime sounded in Arthur’s mind.

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[You have slain Level 14 Poisonous Painted Serpent x7.]

[Blood Drain Activated! 0.07/100]

Arthur exhaled sharply, shifting his grip on Chaos. Seven down. Three left.

His mana drained rapidly, his Shadow Bind still holding firm on the last three serpents. They trembled, their bodies twitching from the aftershocks of Land Smash, but they weren’t dead yet.

Arthur narrowed his eyes. No point wasting more mana.